Allergy bedding is a term used to set our type of specialty covers from regular bedding products being sold in most of the big box stores. Some stores refer to them as dust mite covers, allergy proof bedding, mite covers or anti-allergen covers just to mention a few

This type of bedding is specifically designed to prevent dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores and other allergens from getting into your bed by acting as a physical barrier. The allergens already in your bed are trapped and can no longer harm you.

So how do they decide what fabric is allergy-proof? Here is the abstract of a study done at University of Virginia Asthma and AllergicDiseasesCenter, Charlottesville, VA.

BACKGROUND:Mattress and pillow encasings are recommended for patients allergic to dust mites. Many encasements block allergen and are vapor permeable but do not allow free passage of air through the material. Recently, breathable fabrics made from tightly woven synthetic fibers or nonwoven synthetics have been recommend as encasements.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to develop a method for testing encasement materials made of breathable fabrics.

METHODS:Dust samples containing a known quantity of allergen (Der f 1, Der p 1, and Fel d 1) were pulled across a variety of fabrics using a modified dust trap. Airflow through the dust trap was controlled with a vacuum pump. Five minutes after dust was introduced, the pump was shut off. A filter located downstream of the fabric collected allergen passing through the fabric during the test and was assayed with ELISA for the relevant allergen. Fabrics to be tested were obtained from manufacturers and specialty catalogs.

RESULTS:As the average pore size decreases, the airflow through a fabric becomes restricted, and the pressure differential created by the vacuum pump increases. Dust mite allergens (Der f 1 and Der p 1) were blocked below detectable limits by fabrics of less than 10 microm in pore size. Fabrics with an average pore size of 6 microm or less blocked cat allergen (Fel d 1).

CONCLUSION:The method we developed provided a rigorous and reliable test for leakage of common indoor allergens through breathable barrier fabrics. Our results show that tightly woven fabrics and nonwoven synthetic fabrics can block common indoor allergens but still allow airflow.

The allergy bedding we sell has two very important things in common. Each one is made from a type of fabric, membrane or micro weave, that does not allow dust mite allergens or bugs to pass through and they fully encase the piece and zip closed.

Fabric Types:

Which is better and most effective?

That depends on what are you concerned about?

The membrane fabric does not allow any allergens to pass. encasings made with a non-woven fabric-like AllergyCare Linen™ don't have "pores". In fact, the urethane membrane actually makes the allergy covers water-proof. This type of cover is the least expensive and we recommend them for children’s beds. We also recommend this type of encasing for people with bed bug problems. We carry one fabric with the membrane, 100% polyester knit.

AllergyCare™ Solution is 100% polyester knit bed bug proof mattress cover that is very soft as well as water-proof. This is my daughter's favorite allergy fabric.

Micro-weave fabrics, the fibers are tightly woven so that they create a barrier against dust mite allergens. How effective these covers will be is based on the pore size of the fabric, the space between the fibers. Micro-weave covers are the lightest and coolest of the fabrics used for allergy encasings.

AllergyCare™ Pristine Luxury bedding is made of 100% polyester and has the smallest pore size, 2.8 microns, and will hold up the best over time.

AllergyCare™ Allersoft Cotton Blend bedding is a 60% polyester and 40% cotton blend that feels more like a traditional percale sheet. These covers have a pore size of 3.8 microns.

AllergyCare™ 100% Cotton bedding is made from 100% cotton and is a very soft, breathable cover. Being all cotton is has a pore size of 4.6 microns. (PMI Test Results)

AllergyCare™ Organic Cotton is made from tightly woven certified organic cotton. The fabric is non-dyed, non-treated, and chemical free with an average pore size of 5.3 microns

When covered, your bedding is protected from dust mites, pollen, mold spores, animal dander and even bed bugs and fleas. What is in the bed stays in the bed, the dust mites and bed bugs just die, and nothing else can get into the bed. However, an allergy cover will not keep the allergens from getting on top of the bedding.